Vidal relocates to state-of-the-art winery to cement fine wine position

ByLisa Riley

Published: 16 July, 2018

Vidal, one of New Zealand’s oldest wineries, has relocated from Hastings to a new state-of-the-art winery in the Gimbletts Gravels, Hawkes Bay.

Marking a new chapter for the winery, which was established by Anthony Vidal in 1905, going forward all grapes harvested in Gisborne and Hawkes Bay will be made at the new Hawkes Bay winery - The Gravels.

While it had been “immensely satisfying” to ferment and age its wines in the historic cellars in Hastings there was no denying there were challenges, with the move poised to cement Vidal’s place in the world as a fine wine producer, said winemaker Hugh Crichton.

“Being closer to our vineyards and working within a winery designed for quality will without a doubt further push us into the premium market,” he said.

The existing Te Awa site located at 2375 State Highway 50, Hastings, will combine with the new winery to officially become The Gravels – the Hawkes Bay home of Vidal Estate, Esk Valley, Te Awa Collection and Villa Maria on 1 October 2018.

The doors of the Vidal Estate winery and restaurant in Hastings closed for the last time 30 June 2018, but customers will be able to continue to taste and buy wine direct from the cellar door and enjoy at The Gravels.

It had been a difficult decision to sell the property as not only was it Vidal’s first restaurant, but also the first winery restaurant in New Zealand, said George Fistonich, who purchased the winery in 1976 and opened the restaurant three years later.

“The property holds a lot of historical relevance, but with the challenges of being nestled in a residential area we had outgrown the facility,” he said.